College Basketball

Minnesota associate AD Ellis resigns amid harassment investigation

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:05 p.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota associate athletic director Mike Ellis resigned Friday amid an investigation by the school into unspecified complaints made against him.

Golden Gophers spokesman Chris Werle confirmed Ellis's resignation. Ellis had been on voluntary leave from the university while the school conducted its investigation.

Ellis followed former athletic director Norwood Teague to Minnesota from Virginia Commonwealth. Ellis worked with the Gophers men's and women's basketball programs and played an integral role in deciding to fire coach Tubby Smith and hire coach Richard Pitino to coach the men and Marlene Stollings to coach the women.

Teague resigned this summer after being accused of drunkenly harassing two university employees at a school retreat, and the resulting investigation turned up several complaints lodged against Ellis, who has been on paid leave since August.

In his letter of resignation to interim athletic director Beth Goetz, Ellis wrote that he has "done nothing wrong." He called the accusations "unsubstantiated."

The university's investigation is ongoing and no results or findings have been made public.

Ellis also wrote to Goetz that he has had "several recent opportunities of employment" and has decided it would be best for him and his family to move on.

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